BANGALORE: Australia great Michael Hussey says India batsman Virat Kohli could emulate the legendary feats of Sachin Tendulkar before his career is done.But Hussey was quick to caveat the prediction, adding that while Kohli has the talent it is yet to be proven if he has the stamina of the Little Master.

“One of Tendulkar’s greatest strengths was his longevity and if Kohli can stay fit, he could be well on his way to emulate Tendulkar as a player,” Hussey said from India, where he is commentating on the Indian Premier League.

“Kohli has evolved into an amazing player,” added Hussey, who said AB de Villiers and Steve Smith were his contemporaries.

“These three are all probably at a stage now where they know their game inside and out and they stick to it as it has given them so much success over the years.

“I simply love watching them bat.”

One of the most intriguing sub-plots in Indian cricket over the next decade will be Virat Kohli’s attempt to surpass the great Sachin Tendulkar and become the most prolific century-maker in One-day International history.

Tendulkar’s 24-year dominance of world cricket saw him take a stranglehold over almost every statistical record in the book, but it has long been forecast that Kohli would one day surpass him in ODI cricket.

Kohli, for his part, is keen to play down the Tendulkar comparisons but they show little sign of abating.

“It is embarrassing to be honest. It is not fair on him (Tendulkar),” Kohli said recently.

“He can’t be compared to anyone. You are talking about a batsman of a different calibre.

“I have strengthened my game whereas he was born to achieve all that he has. I have been playing well for two years while he served the nation with grace for 24 years.

“He is two levels above anyone else in this generation of batsmen. I am individually inspired by him though I would like to create my own path.”

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2016